Cambodia rejects Thai claim that Preah Vihear Temple used as military base

PHNOM PENH, Feb 27, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has rejected allegations by Thailand’s foreign minister that the Temple of Preah Vihear has been used as a military base.

In a statement, the ministry said remarks attributed to Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and reported by The Nation Thailand were unfounded.

The temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a sacred cultural and religious monument of “Outstanding Universal Value” and has “never been designated, developed, or used as a military base,” the ministry said.

Cambodia stressed its obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention, saying the site is preserved for peaceful, cultural and religious purposes.

The ministry recalled the International Court of Justice’s 1962 ruling confirming Cambodia’s sovereignty over the temple and its 2013 clarification extending sovereignty over the entire promontory. It said the rulings are final and binding under the UN Charter.

The statement noted that the temple was administered peacefully from 1962 until 2008, when Thai military personnel entered surrounding areas, leading to clashes and damage. Renewed border fighting in 2025 also caused further harm, according to Cambodian assessments.

Cambodia said the presence of its authorities at the site is for heritage protection, not military purposes, and that administration remains under civilian heritage bodies.

The ministry said it is documenting alleged attacks and damage to support restoration and accountability, stressing that harm to a World Heritage Site is a matter of international concern.

Reaffirming sovereignty over the temple, Cambodia said attempts to portray it as a military base undermine established legal rulings and risk heightening regional tensions.